The history of the Little Italy Cocktail

The Little Italy Cocktail by Audrey Saunders was created in 2005 at the Pegu Club in Manhattan. Since Audrey used both American and Italian ingredients for the Little Italy, and many Manhattan variations are named after a New York neighborhood, she named her creation after a neighborhood as well, appropriately Little Italy, bordering Soho to the east and about 300 yards from the Pegu Club there.

Basically the Little Italy Cocktail is a Manhattan variation with Cynar playing the part of the bitters. Also this drink is a good example of how well rye whiskey can work in cocktails. Maraschino cherries are essential, feel free to use three and allow a bit of the liquid from the cherries to drip into the drink. Delightful!

More modern classic cocktails?!

I am also on Instagram. Just drop in…

My Instagram channel. Here you can find all of my recipes. Constantly updated whether you are an experienced home bartender or a newcomer to the cocktail scene. I got a drink for everyone.